The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (H. Bird, Ord. H.M.S. “Condor”) edge bruise and light pitting, otherwise very fine

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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CONDOR (Lord Charles Beresford) played a distinguished part early in the bombardment when she engaged the Marabout Fort without support, and diverted the enemy’s fire away from the ships that were engaging Fort Mex. Admiral Seymour was moved to send the signal “Well done Condor”.

Henry Bird was born in Huntsgrice, Somerset on 23 April 1860. He first entered as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE on 11 May 1875, and subsequently served aboard GANGES (1875-77) and advanced there to Boy 1st Class in June 1876. Was aboard MINOTAUR (1877-79) where he was advanced to Ord in January 1879, and then drafted to CONDOR on 7 August 1880 and advanced to A.B. in September 1883, three months prior to being paid off from her. His last ship was H.M.S. HECTOR (1884-86) but he was invalided ashore to Haslar Hospital, dying there on 19 May 1886.